MORE than two dozen men have been charged over violent clashes between fans and police following the Blues v Villa second city derby.

West Midlands Police said 25 men from across Birmingham were due before magistrates next week charged with violent disorder.

The charges relate to shameful violence which erupted outside Birmingham City's St Andrew's ground after Villa's 2-1 win over their city rivals last November.

The trouble erupted among a 200-strong crowd which gathered outside the gates after the final whistle.

More than 40 police officers were injured, including one who had his front teeth knocked out as they tried to keep rival fans apart.

Clashes continued in Digbeth for more than 90 minutes as police sought to disperse the mob.

Following the incident, police launched a taskforce to identify those suspected of being involved in the trouble from CCTV and police video footage.

The Birmingham Mail also printed images of 27 faces which police took from the footage. A number of men were identify and later arrested in a series of swoops across the city, including Small Heath, Acocks Green, Great Barr, Kings Heath, Erdington, Northfield and Solihull.

Of those arrested, 23 were supporters of Blues and three were Villa fans.

Det Sgt Neil Groutage, from Stech-ford CID, who led the police taskforce, said: "A total of 25 people have been charged with violent disorder in connection with the disorder which following the Birmingham City v Aston Villa football match.